Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 19 Join us for the live conversation on Stay tuned to Fredericksburg Parent's Facebook and YouTube channels for a video interview in June with Rappahannock Area Community Services Board. Facebook: @fredericksburgparent • Twitter: @FredParent • Instagram: @fredparentmagazine a sk t h e e x p e rt Sponsored Material During the teen years, when children may be more likely to be out on their own at a gathering or party, Bradshaw said having an emergency code that your child can text to you at any me and get a response—either a call back or a pickup—is a good idea. By having regular conversa ons from a young age, you can ensure children will feel safe calling you, knowing you'll support them for making a choice to remove themselves from a poten ally danger- ous situa on. And, she urges, always remember that your children are listening to you—and watching you. "Parents are the strongest infl uence on their children," she said. "I know teenagers tend to act like they aren't listening to their parents, but if you have created that open dialog, even if they act like they aren't listening—they are." BE VIGILANT In the "Hidden in Plain Sight" workshops that RACSB puts on in partnership with other area organi- za ons, community experts guide par cipants through a virtual tour of a teen bedroom, stopping at items that may appear mundane, but are actually warning signs of a substance abuse problem. For example, teens can easily buy "stash devices" that look like everyday items, such as a plas c water bo le. Chief Craig Branch of the Germanna Community College Police Department said it's important for parents to pick up items in their children's rooms and inspect them. Stash devices will be no ceably heavier than the items they're made to mimic. E-cigare es are also being manufactured to look like things like computer mouses and USB drives. Taking a close look could help you spot a problem. "Don't feel bad about picking it up and checking it," he said. "It's OK to be nosy. They are children." Among her ps for fostering that open dialog: • Talk about what a real friend is, and how to build strong friendships. "A friend will encour- age you and like you for who you are," Bradshaw said. "They won't reject you if you choose not to use drugs or alcohol with them." • Be open about the ways that modern media glamorize substance abuse and marijuana use among celebri es and social media stars. Talk about the real-life consequences of these choices. • Have clear and consistent rules based on your family's values. Use statements like, "In our family, we _____." • Bring it down to a level they can understand. Talk about how use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco or marijuana can prevent them from par cipa ng in sports, dance, theater, jobs or other important aspects of their daily lives. • Encourage ac vi es that build kids' self-esteem and self-worth. Praise their eff orts, and praise them when they make good choices. "You really want to build them up so that they are strong enough to handle that peer pressure when it comes," Bradshaw said. VIRGINIA LAW IS CHANGING The Virginia General Assembly voted this year to make it legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of marijuana eff ec ve July 1. It's also legal for adults to have up to four marijuana plants at their home. Parents should be aware of this change, as marijuana has been shown to have signifi cant nega- ve impacts on growing brains—and that growth con nues into early adulthood. Area law enforcement offi cials also warn that today's marijuana is far more potent than the marijuana of 10 or 20 years ago, and it is increasingly likely to be laced with more harmful drugs and synthe c substances. It's important for parents to include marijuana in family discussions about saying no to harmful substances. TOOLS FOR TALKING • Talk. They hear you. h ps://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they- hear-you • Parents Empowered h ps://parentsempowered.org/ • Opera on Preven on h ps://opera onpreven on.com/ • Get Smart About Drugs (DEA) h ps://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/ • Just Think Twice h ps://www.jus hinktwice.gov/ DON'T BE AN ACCIDENTAL DEALER No ma er how old your children are, it's important to keep medica ons secured in a lockbox or similar device in your home, and to keep an inventory of medicine so that you can know if it starts going missing. Expired or unused drugs can be disposed of at a number of sites around our community. Find a complete map at: h p://bit.ly/PD16DrugDropOff Sites Learn about addi onal upcoming programs at rappahannockareacsb.org

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